Line 6 JTV69 James Tyler Variax Guitar

60 years ago, modern music was transformed by the advent of the electric guitar. This revolutionary instrument proved to be incredibly expressive, and allowed players to connect to their music and their audiences in powerful ways. As music evolved, traditional electric guitars clung to the past, but others provided broader palates of sounds.

In 2002, Line 6 launched Variax modeling guitars. These groundbreaking instruments offered guitarists an unprecedented range of tones based on the most desirable electric and acoustic guitars on the planet. To develop these Variax guitars, Line 6 partnered with legendary luthier James Tyler to craft an exceptional instrument and the perfect delivery system for Variax technology.

Sean Halley demos the incredible versatility of the James Tyler Variax:

Award-winning Variax guitar modeling technology

Line 6 set the goal posts for digital guitar modeling, and the evolution of this technology gives the James Tyler Variax JTV 69 unprecedented tone-crafting potential.

At a twist of its simple and intuitive selector knob, JTV 69 transforms its tone with 25 award-winning electric and acoustic guitar models, giving you a virtual guitar collection to rival the gear rack of any top studio. Need to roll from country twang 'n' spank to thick bluesy wail to resonator-style shimmer and chime in the course of the same song? The JTV 69 takes you there and beyond, instantly.

Each model offers nuance-perfect tone inspired by the most desired vintage acoustic and electric guitars, and it does so with more accuracy and tonal purity than ever before (thanks to the sensitive and more reliable L.R. Baggs Radiance Hex (polyphonic) piezo pickups loaded into the bridge saddles of JTV 69).

Top-flight guitar design

Designed from the ground up by one of the world's foremost luthiers, and manufactured in one of the world's best-respected guitar plants, JTV 69 is a cutting-edge performance tool.

Designed in the tradition of the classic 25-1/2 inch scale bolt-neck, three-pickup solidbody (but updated for today's demanding player), JTV 69 is made from a body crafted from solid alder, with a maple neck carved to a comfortably rounded Tyler '59 profile and a 22-fret rosewood fingerboard. This time-tested design yields the bright, percussive snap and bite for which Fender's style guitars have been famed for 60 years, with plenty of bluesy warmth when required.

To further increase its versatility, the three-pickup format is expanded with a PAF-style humbucker in the bridge that has been designed to complement the single-coil early '60s Strat style pickups in the neck and middle positions (all loaded with alnico magnets and wound to James Tyler's specs).

Completing the package is a James Tyler Custom Tremolo bridge (engineered for increased resonance and improved tuning stability over vintage units) that gives you access to the smooth vibrato action that is a big part of this breed of guitar.

zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
"So many sounds, so little time"

Sound:
sounds are very good, i love the fact that i can play a stray cats tune with a gretsch sound then a dire straits song followed by an acoustic song all without changing guitars.... that in itself is worth the money.
Feature:
i owned one of the first generation variax guitars ... the 300 i believe.... and i thought it sounded and played OK but this new Tyler model is far superior to that and the price is about the same
Ease of Use:
remembering the position of all the different models is a challenge but once you have learned what are your favs it is pretty self explanatory
Quality:
this guitar is not a PRS or gibson but it is a very playable instrument very much on par with many mid priced guitars..... lets face it, you are paying for the electronics.
Value:
the vast catalog of sounds and alt tunings make this worth the price the only reason i didn't give it a 10 was the non inclusion of an A/B pedal (you really do need one to send acoustic sounds to the PA (or acoustic amp) and electric sounds to your amp (the original 300's did come with this pedal)
Manufacturer Support:
when i was talking to them years ago (when i had my first variax) they were superb..... (i think i was the first person in the UK to have one.... i ordered it and had to wait for the first shipment to clear customs to get it) i didn't have problems but just used to call and chat about the guitar with the support staff....they were all very interested in talking about it back then
The Wow Factor:
i love not having to change guitars or making do with a one sound does all set
Overall:
if it was lost or stolen I will replace it

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zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
"Well made and highly versatile product."

Sound:
Sound is excellent, and with the Variax controls for different modelings and instant alternate tunings, instrument is remarkably unique and versatile.
Feature:
The materials are high-grade. I noticed one reviewer "diss'd" this instrument and I was surprised. I also own a Taylor Acoustic and Fender Strat, and I think very highly of the Variax in playability and sound output using them as a barometer. Also is a good looking guitar.
Ease of Use:
Easy to use both live performance and for recording, no compatibility issues with any other product. I don't see any learning curve other than learning how to use its unique dials for selecting various classic guitar models to emulate (which all sound pretty good), and for alternate tuning. Physically, instrument is very playable, neck is fast and smooth.
Quality:
I feel it is very well made, materials are high-quality, workmanship is quite good. I have had it for about a year now, no issues with reliability. Other people have remarked about liking the various emulations it does and tones it produces. Cosmetically, is good looking and appears durable. I also believe luthier James Tyler, who partnered with Line 6 in this product, would not have his name associated with an instrument of questionable value.
Value:
I believe the product to be worth the selling price, and I rate this product highly when comparing to other items.
Manufacturer Support:
I asked them a couple of questions about materials used, and they were very friendly and responsive.
The Wow Factor:
I find the technical/sound versatily of the product very appealing, and there is no doubt that you can make good music with it.
Overall:
I would likely buy another one of these if it were stolen. I enjoy being able to get many different good sounds and tones out of it.

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